Shaheen Afridi to hold talks with PCB chairman over ‘fake quotes on Babar’s return’ as white-ball captain

Former Pakistan T20I captain Shaheen Shah Afridi is upset with PCB for putting out his fake quotes on Babar Azam’s reappointment as the new white-ball captain, something he never contributed to in the first place. As per the latest reports, Afridi, who was named Pakistan’s new T20I captain following Babar’s departure as all-format skipper in November last year, is said to be meeting PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding this matter on Monday (April 1).

Astatement released by the PCB, attributing to Shaheen, reads,"I will always cherish the memories and the opportunity. As a team player, it is my duty to back our captain, Babar Azam. I have played under his captaincy and have nothing but respect for him. I will try to help him on and off the field. We are all one. Our aim is the same, to help Pakistan become the best team in the world."

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Shaheen claims to be contributing nothing in regards to Babar becoming Pakistan’s white-ball captain once again.

Meanwhile, change in the leadership has caused quite a stir in Pakistan cricket. After PCB asked Babar to step aside from the captaincy following a dismal 2023 World Cup show in India, they appointed Shaheen (T20Is) and Shan Masood (Test captain) as new leaders in their respective formats.

However, after just one failed international assignment and PSL 2024, Shaheen was removed as the captain in the shortest format.

Shahid Afridi, a former Pakistan legend and Shaheen’s father-in-law, also commented on the matter, saying he was surprised to see a sudden change in the leadership group, considering the T20 World Cup is just around the corner. Although he sounded miffed with PCB’s call, he congratulated Babar on his reappointment as the captain.

“I am surprised by the decision by very experienced cricketers in the selection committee. I still believe that if change was necessary then Rizwan was the best choice! But since now the decision has been made I offer my full support and best wishes to team Pakistan and Babar Azam,” Afridi wrote on X.

Wayward calls create chaos

Earlier during a presser in Lahore, the PCB chairman denied commenting on Shaheen’s status as T20I captain, saying he is unsure how things will pan out in the coming days.

Soon after that, a lot happened within their cricket, with two former players – Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, announcing unretirement to remain available for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA. The board also reappointed Babar as the new captain for ODIs and T20Is.

Babar will lead Pakistan against New Zealand in home T20Is in April before flying to the UK for the T20 series against Ireland and England just ahead of the 20-team tournament.